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Preamp module kits?

Posted by Craig Mayhem on January 2, 2013 at 3:31pm in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

I am finding an increased need for outboard preamps. I do like using the 9v on-board rod piezo EQ/preamp modules but I'd like to have one or two on my straight piezo builds.

So to that point, does anyone know of/have used DIY outboard preamp kits? I'm not averse to soldering, either!

Thanks, nation!

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Replies

  • Darren Wolbold January 3, 2013 at 3:57pm

    Not really a kit as such but I have made the little gem and smokey amp maybe not pre amps as such as they distort and can drive speakers but they still might be usefull for you im not sure , these are simple op amp bases circuits If you google them you can find the circuits and people make kits as well

    This radio actually has a little gem amp in,as I could not hot wire it/ I am also using my trusty boss c1 compression to help match the input and get more gain out of it

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x10bWuGX0MM</a></p&gt;

    These worked out ok with a piezo pick up using the compression pedal  but were a lot better with my "normal" magnet pick guitar and could be used with out the pedal

    I am going to make the ruby amp next and see if it is a little better with a piezo pick up CBG as it has a transistor input stage which I hope will improve the impedence matching and increase gain

     Buy my guitars on line

    http://darrenscigarboxguitars.ecrater.co.uk/c/135075593/cigar-box-g...;

  • Craig Mayhem January 2, 2013 at 6:52pm

    Sweet! Thanks for the replies, guys! 

  • charles roberts January 2, 2013 at 6:10pm

    Craig I am crafting 12AX7 pre amps with adj. overdrive to boost your signal and warm up the sound of a solid state amp 73 Charles KG4NZW

  • David L. January 2, 2013 at 5:39pm
    Sorry I started typing and got side tracked so missed this question - yes is the answer. For just a little more you can get one with a tuner off ebay which is useful.
  • David L. January 2, 2013 at 4:43pm

    Hi Craig,

    You can get one of the onboard preamp modules and site it in a box. For the input use a 1/4 inch jacksocket (so it will take a regular guitar cable) and wire the terminals off the 1/4 inch socket to a 2.5mm jack to fit the preamp module and insert it where the piezo would go. The module will already have a 1/4 inch output (post preamp circuit) which becomes the output from the box.

    I had a module that was ex display and missing the back/wires and by using a switchable jack added a smokey amp circuit so it doubles as a mini amp.

    Preamp with Smokey mini amplifier 01

    Preamp with Smokey mini amplifier 02

    It works well for magnetic pickups as well as piezos.

     

    With a module that hasn't had the wires chopped it will simply be a matter of wiring a 1/4 socket to a 2.5mm jack and the rest will already be intact.  As you will already know the jack on the output to amp side acts as the power switch.

     

    Regards,

    David

  • Craig Mayhem January 2, 2013 at 4:17pm

    Also if I replaced the piezo with a 1/4" jack as in input on one of these, could I put it in a separate box & use it as a preamp pedal?

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-4-Band-Acoustic-Guitar-Pickup-EQ-...

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